Premonitions
- Thread starter PacNorWest
- Start date
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#65
The dark, hooded men walked as silently as possible along the road, passing the farm's driveway and heading for the lower pasture, the furthest from the house. A loose knit band of brigands, hungry and with only a vague idea of how to accomplish the dastardly deed they needed to do, the young men crawled across the board fence into the pasture with the cows.
Moving quietly among the animals, the strongest of the young men had the intention of jumping on a nice, fat steer and reaching down and cutting it's throat. It would be silent, giving them the advantage of the night and the collective ability of the group to carve the animal up before they were discovered.
BAH WAGGGGGH, the startled steer bawled in the loudest, most startled voice he possessed when the heavyset youth flopped on his back. BAH WAGGGGGH, rent the night like a Comanche war cry. Bucking and snorting, the steer dumped the desperately clutching human, and then stepped on his hand, breaking it. The human cry was nearly as loud as the steer with a slight cut on his neck.
Mama dog started barking, joined by Big Otis in his loudest puppy voice. Tired and slow to rise, the men of the farm grabbed their rifles and pants and listened at their open doors for clues as to what was happening.
The sound of rushing hooves and lowing cows alerted the farm occupants as to the source of the problem. Meeting in the barn as they stuffed shirts into their pants and pulled on their boots, Ev, Ben and Wayne crouched in the darkness, letting their eyes acclimate to the night.
"Somebody is down in the herd, I hear the cattle moving up this way in a hurry." Wayne whispered.
"Guy's I'm going off to the left," Mark spoke quietly, making the three men start as they didn't realize he was near. His battle rifle with night vision let him spot the five dark figures trying to run and corner another animal.
"Five of them trying to grab a steer," he reported through clenched teeth. It really hurt to shoulder his familiar weapon, but practiced habit made the swing up easier. "Want me to drill one of them?" he questioned, drawing a cross hair mark on the bulky dark person.
"Maybe don't kill them," Ben cautioned, "but I don't mind if you scare the shit out of them."
"You bet," Wayne and Ev agreed. "Go for it."
Mark tracked the one figure that was the stillest, staying close to the fence and not participating in the running mêlée. Slowly he let his breath out and then inhaled a half breath and squeezed the trigger. His shot went precisely where he intended it to go, splintering the board immediately to the right of the figure.
All the hooded shapes immediately dropped to the ground and crawled at top speed for the fence. He counted as five blobs dove over the boards and onto the rough pavement landing.
The panting and hard breathing herd stampeded into the barnyard, skidding into the corral and threatening to crash the fence as they milled in frightened discontent. Ev crept over to the fence with flakes of alfalfa, throwing the bright green smelling hay along the inside fence, calming the cows as they stopped to eat.
"They bailed," Mark reported as he followed the dark shapes with his scope. He found the car they drove, and taking a chance with a real long range shot, he blew out the windshield. The men of the farm could hear howls of outrage and fright as the car started and slammed into reverse, weaving wildly as they raced back wards, hopefully out of range.
"Dirty --------," Wayne spit on the ground, "guess that means we need to post a guard again, seems like we are always having to lock the barn door after a problem happens."
"They won't be back tonight, they are scared and need to regroup; besides you know what they had to crawl through to get to the fence," Mark chuckled a evil sounding snort of amusement. "I imagine that was a stinky ride home."
The dark, hooded men walked as silently as possible along the road, passing the farm's driveway and heading for the lower pasture, the furthest from the house. A loose knit band of brigands, hungry and with only a vague idea of how to accomplish the dastardly deed they needed to do, the young men crawled across the board fence into the pasture with the cows.
Moving quietly among the animals, the strongest of the young men had the intention of jumping on a nice, fat steer and reaching down and cutting it's throat. It would be silent, giving them the advantage of the night and the collective ability of the group to carve the animal up before they were discovered.
BAH WAGGGGGH, the startled steer bawled in the loudest, most startled voice he possessed when the heavyset youth flopped on his back. BAH WAGGGGGH, rent the night like a Comanche war cry. Bucking and snorting, the steer dumped the desperately clutching human, and then stepped on his hand, breaking it. The human cry was nearly as loud as the steer with a slight cut on his neck.
Mama dog started barking, joined by Big Otis in his loudest puppy voice. Tired and slow to rise, the men of the farm grabbed their rifles and pants and listened at their open doors for clues as to what was happening.
The sound of rushing hooves and lowing cows alerted the farm occupants as to the source of the problem. Meeting in the barn as they stuffed shirts into their pants and pulled on their boots, Ev, Ben and Wayne crouched in the darkness, letting their eyes acclimate to the night.
"Somebody is down in the herd, I hear the cattle moving up this way in a hurry." Wayne whispered.
"Guy's I'm going off to the left," Mark spoke quietly, making the three men start as they didn't realize he was near. His battle rifle with night vision let him spot the five dark figures trying to run and corner another animal.
"Five of them trying to grab a steer," he reported through clenched teeth. It really hurt to shoulder his familiar weapon, but practiced habit made the swing up easier. "Want me to drill one of them?" he questioned, drawing a cross hair mark on the bulky dark person.
"Maybe don't kill them," Ben cautioned, "but I don't mind if you scare the shit out of them."
"You bet," Wayne and Ev agreed. "Go for it."
Mark tracked the one figure that was the stillest, staying close to the fence and not participating in the running mêlée. Slowly he let his breath out and then inhaled a half breath and squeezed the trigger. His shot went precisely where he intended it to go, splintering the board immediately to the right of the figure.
All the hooded shapes immediately dropped to the ground and crawled at top speed for the fence. He counted as five blobs dove over the boards and onto the rough pavement landing.
The panting and hard breathing herd stampeded into the barnyard, skidding into the corral and threatening to crash the fence as they milled in frightened discontent. Ev crept over to the fence with flakes of alfalfa, throwing the bright green smelling hay along the inside fence, calming the cows as they stopped to eat.
"They bailed," Mark reported as he followed the dark shapes with his scope. He found the car they drove, and taking a chance with a real long range shot, he blew out the windshield. The men of the farm could hear howls of outrage and fright as the car started and slammed into reverse, weaving wildly as they raced back wards, hopefully out of range.
"Dirty --------," Wayne spit on the ground, "guess that means we need to post a guard again, seems like we are always having to lock the barn door after a problem happens."
"They won't be back tonight, they are scared and need to regroup; besides you know what they had to crawl through to get to the fence," Mark chuckled a evil sounding snort of amusement. "I imagine that was a stinky ride home."
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks Pac.
Wayne
Wayne
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thanks Pac, sorry but I feel rustlers deserve to be dead just like in the old days, its like attempted murder of the owners and their families taking the food out of their mouths..
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#65b
"Oh glory, it's a fine morning," Clora swished around the kitchen as she made breakfast. Lilly, Alice and Betsy looked outside at the dark forbidding clouds dropping rain, and wondered if they were looking out the same window.
Mark had gone to the barn to milk, taking his turn in the schedule rotation. Bossie was ornery and not much inclined to let her milk down for the now unfamiliar man. "Co'mon Bossie," he encouraged as he worked gently. It was a no go show, until he realized he had forgotten to dish up her grain. That not so small oversight taken care of, and they were back on track.
Headed back to the house in the increasing wind and rain, Mark inspected the horses all bunched up in the three sided shed. Two of the older mares were swishing their tails and circling, the drop in barometric pressure bringing on the birth of their colts.
Hurrying to the house to drop off the milk and grab a quick breakfast and his insulated coveralls, Mark was in and out in a hurry.
The mares didn't want to come inside, but they trusted the tall man to be their protector. Bedded down in the box stalls, Mark went on colt watch. Otis came over for attention and eventually Mama Dog moseyed her way over for a scratch or two.
Secretly thrilled that the Pyrenees would let him touch her, Mark talked softly as he ran his hands over her coat. He could feel that she was gaining weight, as her bones weren't as sharp and protruding. He praised her for barking during the night, letting them know there were intruders. By the time the first colt was born, Mama Dog was safely under Mark's spell, firmly cemented as friends.
The stocky Quarter horse mare birthed a colt that was a carbon copy of herself; a bright sorrel with four white socks and a clean blaze. Mother and Colt were doing fine, the youngster cleaned off and nursing. Mark did a bit of imprinting on the colt, gently restraining the wobbly legged animal and running his hands all over the small body. The mare didn't totally approve, but let him move slowly and deliberately.
The other mare stood dejectedly, not moving as her sides heaved and rippled. Suddenly she went down and gave a couple of grunting pushes and there was a foal. The filly looked like a feminine version of Jacob's coat. Mark thought she was the most ugly marked filly he had ever seen. A Grulla color with a line back and what looked like zebra stripes on her legs, she was accented by a snip that wandered all over her face.
"Oh honey," he whispered as he let the mare clean her foal, "you are the most ugly little girl, only a mama could be impressed with you." Carefully he followed the routine he had done with the first foal, imprinting the filly to human presence.
Otis got a little close to the filly and the mare pinned her ears back, warning the pup to stay away. "You'd better listen to her," Mark pulled the pup back from the fence and pushed him over to his mother. "You stay," he pushed the pup's hindquarters down in a sitting position and held his hand up to prevent forward motion. "Good boy," he praised. "Good boy."
The church service was simple and meaningful, Ben speaking about the birth of a beautiful gift given to the world for salvation. The songs were those hymns that had turned into carols, and the ten minute prayer of silence was mostly as silent as a batch of small children could allow.
Milo had snuggled up to Clora, leaning on her as the service progressed. His perpetual motion machine had his feet swishing together, but for a four year old, he was remarkably calm. "Where's Uncle Mark?" had been his first question, and the second was, "can we go see them later?"
Assured that they would go see the new babies, Milo was content to sit quietly. Ronnie did get a little too close to his Aunt Clora and Milo tried to kick him, and had to scooch way down in his chair to reach out far enough.
"Nah, nah, you missed me," Ronnie tattled in a sing song voice. Christy leaned over and grabbed Ronnie by the arm, "hush" she whispered and drug him back in his seat.
Ronnie leaned back and stuck his tongue out, but was turned around by Cheryl and warned by a finger shake. When the service concluded, the men sat in the living room playing with the babies while the ladies brought the meal together.
Clora stood at the stove stirring the sweet and sour sauce for the meatballs that had been cooking while they were in church. Cheryl had brought a pan of cheesy potatoes and Lainey had coleslaw and rolls. Sunday dinner was a fellowship time for the clan. Clora fixed a plate for Mark and set it aside. Milo asked for two rolls with butter and 'porky pines' and absolutely no coleslaw. Clora had to talk hard to get him to try a bite of cheesy potatoes, but finally he swallowed a small amount.
When the dishes were done, they all got bundled up and trooped out to see the new foals.
"Oh glory, it's a fine morning," Clora swished around the kitchen as she made breakfast. Lilly, Alice and Betsy looked outside at the dark forbidding clouds dropping rain, and wondered if they were looking out the same window.
Mark had gone to the barn to milk, taking his turn in the schedule rotation. Bossie was ornery and not much inclined to let her milk down for the now unfamiliar man. "Co'mon Bossie," he encouraged as he worked gently. It was a no go show, until he realized he had forgotten to dish up her grain. That not so small oversight taken care of, and they were back on track.
Headed back to the house in the increasing wind and rain, Mark inspected the horses all bunched up in the three sided shed. Two of the older mares were swishing their tails and circling, the drop in barometric pressure bringing on the birth of their colts.
Hurrying to the house to drop off the milk and grab a quick breakfast and his insulated coveralls, Mark was in and out in a hurry.
The mares didn't want to come inside, but they trusted the tall man to be their protector. Bedded down in the box stalls, Mark went on colt watch. Otis came over for attention and eventually Mama Dog moseyed her way over for a scratch or two.
Secretly thrilled that the Pyrenees would let him touch her, Mark talked softly as he ran his hands over her coat. He could feel that she was gaining weight, as her bones weren't as sharp and protruding. He praised her for barking during the night, letting them know there were intruders. By the time the first colt was born, Mama Dog was safely under Mark's spell, firmly cemented as friends.
The stocky Quarter horse mare birthed a colt that was a carbon copy of herself; a bright sorrel with four white socks and a clean blaze. Mother and Colt were doing fine, the youngster cleaned off and nursing. Mark did a bit of imprinting on the colt, gently restraining the wobbly legged animal and running his hands all over the small body. The mare didn't totally approve, but let him move slowly and deliberately.
The other mare stood dejectedly, not moving as her sides heaved and rippled. Suddenly she went down and gave a couple of grunting pushes and there was a foal. The filly looked like a feminine version of Jacob's coat. Mark thought she was the most ugly marked filly he had ever seen. A Grulla color with a line back and what looked like zebra stripes on her legs, she was accented by a snip that wandered all over her face.
"Oh honey," he whispered as he let the mare clean her foal, "you are the most ugly little girl, only a mama could be impressed with you." Carefully he followed the routine he had done with the first foal, imprinting the filly to human presence.
Otis got a little close to the filly and the mare pinned her ears back, warning the pup to stay away. "You'd better listen to her," Mark pulled the pup back from the fence and pushed him over to his mother. "You stay," he pushed the pup's hindquarters down in a sitting position and held his hand up to prevent forward motion. "Good boy," he praised. "Good boy."
The church service was simple and meaningful, Ben speaking about the birth of a beautiful gift given to the world for salvation. The songs were those hymns that had turned into carols, and the ten minute prayer of silence was mostly as silent as a batch of small children could allow.
Milo had snuggled up to Clora, leaning on her as the service progressed. His perpetual motion machine had his feet swishing together, but for a four year old, he was remarkably calm. "Where's Uncle Mark?" had been his first question, and the second was, "can we go see them later?"
Assured that they would go see the new babies, Milo was content to sit quietly. Ronnie did get a little too close to his Aunt Clora and Milo tried to kick him, and had to scooch way down in his chair to reach out far enough.
"Nah, nah, you missed me," Ronnie tattled in a sing song voice. Christy leaned over and grabbed Ronnie by the arm, "hush" she whispered and drug him back in his seat.
Ronnie leaned back and stuck his tongue out, but was turned around by Cheryl and warned by a finger shake. When the service concluded, the men sat in the living room playing with the babies while the ladies brought the meal together.
Clora stood at the stove stirring the sweet and sour sauce for the meatballs that had been cooking while they were in church. Cheryl had brought a pan of cheesy potatoes and Lainey had coleslaw and rolls. Sunday dinner was a fellowship time for the clan. Clora fixed a plate for Mark and set it aside. Milo asked for two rolls with butter and 'porky pines' and absolutely no coleslaw. Clora had to talk hard to get him to try a bite of cheesy potatoes, but finally he swallowed a small amount.
When the dishes were done, they all got bundled up and trooped out to see the new foals.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Wonderful, thank you.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#65c
Wayne ate dinner fast, wanting to have a look at the lower pasture fence before they let the stock out and he had to go to work. Willie materialized out of nowhere, asking if he could go along.
"Sure, tell Clora where your going and get your duds on," Wayne was an agreeable sort as long as the kids were tall enough to do their own walking. He was intently trying to get over his problem, thinking he couldn't act that way with Lilly and her girls.
Lilly had already declined to a pasture stroll in the rain, her girls frozen at the thought of going with the lanky man.
Wayne and Willie were at the junction of the driveway and the county road when Will came cruisin up, on his way home after a double shift.
"Hey Dad, man you look terrible," Willie stared at his Dad.
"Thanks kid, I really need encouragement," Will said tiredly. "I came to get you and take you back to school before I crash in bed."
"Hey Dad, the guy's had to do some shooting last night, it was cool. Some dude was trying to kill one of the steers." Willie was impressed with the physical side of the confront ration.
"Shootin huh?" Will passed his hand over his face. "Anyone get hurt?"
"We don't think so, Ben wanted Mark to do two warning shots and we're on our way to have a look. Want to come along?" Wayne asked, wondering if Will should be out driving at all. He did look wrung out.
"Yeah, has anybody been there yet?" Will didn't want to try and investigate a contaminated site.
"Don't think so," Wayne reiterated, "see there," and he indicated the ground covered with glass nubbins where Mark shot out the windshield. And the other one hit the fence about here," he pointed to the shattered board. "This has to be repaired before the cows can use the paddock," he muttered to himself.
"This explains a couple of things," Will harrumphed a small laugh. "The hospital called last night, they had a couple of guys with glass cuts that were covered with manure. They thought perhaps the kids had been in a car wreck, so they let us know."
Will thought for a minute, and then decided to cue Wayne in on another interesting fact. "There was a woman with that assortment of gobblins, and I'm pretty sure it was Deena."
Wayne shrugged like it was no big deal, "Dad," Willie interrupted, "Wayne wants to marry Lilly, he asked her last night."
Will just shook his head as he bird dogged the tracks, glass and any possible piece of evidence. It took a notebook to keep track of the family members, so he let Willie's announcement go in one ear and out the other.
"I've got to get ready for work, how about I take Willie back to the school?" Wayne offered, and shot a look at Willie to see if he was agreeable.
It was so tempting that Will nodded, checking with Willie as he yawned.
"Dad, you're like a dead man walking, you'd better get to bed. How come you worked a double shift anyway," Willie halfway scolded.
"Tuition is due at the first of the year sport, this.." and Will pointed to himself, "is what fuels your schooling." he smiled wryly as he reached out to pretend cuff his son.
"Yes Sir! Thank you Sir!" Willie snapped out and sent his father a salute. Laughing, he danced the boxer training dance just out of reach.
"Brat." Willie smiled proudly at his son. "If you would Wayne, it would be very appreciated." the lawman was slowly relaxing and letting his fatigue show. The rain started in sheeting curtains, cutting short the stand around and BS session. Wayne and Willie piled in the the junker car to get out of the rain, hooting as Will moved slower and got pretty wet.
Clora had Wayne's lunch and supper packaged in his soft sided cooler, two Thermos's of coffee and a hard plastic container full of cookies. Wayne sent a sideways glance to Lilly and said aloud, "Clora, if you weren't married, I'd sweep you off your feet, thank you."
"You're my brother, you big goof, knock it off," Clora ordered without turning around from the stove. "Be careful or I'll send liver sausage sandwiches next time in your lunch." That was enough of a threat to straighten Wayne right out. The man positively abhorred anything liver, and Clora used that to her advantage.
Lilly swiveled her head following the exchange between Wayne and Clora, acting amazed that Clora would back talk to her brother. When she caught Wayne looking at her, she shut down and turned out the lights within. Wayne gathered up Willie, his books, papers and uniform and off they went into the raging storm.
Clora finished browning the roast she intended for supper, added a bit of coffee to the Dutch Oven and placed it carefully in the oven. A roast for Sunday supper was a left over habit from Grandma Evie. If they could afford meat, Grandma always sprang for Sunday roast.
In a small way, that kept Evie alive in Clora's heart, simple pleasures from a long ago remembrance in time. Clora felt so energized and alive, she was a whirling dervish as she spun through the house sending Wayne off to work and Will upstairs to sleep. Mark retreated to the living room with the paper and Lilly and girls went to the school room where they huddled over some of the library books.
Clora made a rice pudding to cook with the roast, started rolls to raise, set the sponge for a sourdough batch of bread. Just for fun she opened the cupboard over the sink and cleaned, inventoried and re arranged the seldom used stacks of platters and 'good' serving bowls. Finished, she was looking for another task when Mark called from the front room. "Come in and sit down, for heaven's sake, it's Sunday," he protested.
Clora had to straighten the living room before she could sit down and read a portion of the paper. The afternoon was fading into dusk when the lights went out.
Wayne ate dinner fast, wanting to have a look at the lower pasture fence before they let the stock out and he had to go to work. Willie materialized out of nowhere, asking if he could go along.
"Sure, tell Clora where your going and get your duds on," Wayne was an agreeable sort as long as the kids were tall enough to do their own walking. He was intently trying to get over his problem, thinking he couldn't act that way with Lilly and her girls.
Lilly had already declined to a pasture stroll in the rain, her girls frozen at the thought of going with the lanky man.
Wayne and Willie were at the junction of the driveway and the county road when Will came cruisin up, on his way home after a double shift.
"Hey Dad, man you look terrible," Willie stared at his Dad.
"Thanks kid, I really need encouragement," Will said tiredly. "I came to get you and take you back to school before I crash in bed."
"Hey Dad, the guy's had to do some shooting last night, it was cool. Some dude was trying to kill one of the steers." Willie was impressed with the physical side of the confront ration.
"Shootin huh?" Will passed his hand over his face. "Anyone get hurt?"
"We don't think so, Ben wanted Mark to do two warning shots and we're on our way to have a look. Want to come along?" Wayne asked, wondering if Will should be out driving at all. He did look wrung out.
"Yeah, has anybody been there yet?" Will didn't want to try and investigate a contaminated site.
"Don't think so," Wayne reiterated, "see there," and he indicated the ground covered with glass nubbins where Mark shot out the windshield. And the other one hit the fence about here," he pointed to the shattered board. "This has to be repaired before the cows can use the paddock," he muttered to himself.
"This explains a couple of things," Will harrumphed a small laugh. "The hospital called last night, they had a couple of guys with glass cuts that were covered with manure. They thought perhaps the kids had been in a car wreck, so they let us know."
Will thought for a minute, and then decided to cue Wayne in on another interesting fact. "There was a woman with that assortment of gobblins, and I'm pretty sure it was Deena."
Wayne shrugged like it was no big deal, "Dad," Willie interrupted, "Wayne wants to marry Lilly, he asked her last night."
Will just shook his head as he bird dogged the tracks, glass and any possible piece of evidence. It took a notebook to keep track of the family members, so he let Willie's announcement go in one ear and out the other.
"I've got to get ready for work, how about I take Willie back to the school?" Wayne offered, and shot a look at Willie to see if he was agreeable.
It was so tempting that Will nodded, checking with Willie as he yawned.
"Dad, you're like a dead man walking, you'd better get to bed. How come you worked a double shift anyway," Willie halfway scolded.
"Tuition is due at the first of the year sport, this.." and Will pointed to himself, "is what fuels your schooling." he smiled wryly as he reached out to pretend cuff his son.
"Yes Sir! Thank you Sir!" Willie snapped out and sent his father a salute. Laughing, he danced the boxer training dance just out of reach.
"Brat." Willie smiled proudly at his son. "If you would Wayne, it would be very appreciated." the lawman was slowly relaxing and letting his fatigue show. The rain started in sheeting curtains, cutting short the stand around and BS session. Wayne and Willie piled in the the junker car to get out of the rain, hooting as Will moved slower and got pretty wet.
Clora had Wayne's lunch and supper packaged in his soft sided cooler, two Thermos's of coffee and a hard plastic container full of cookies. Wayne sent a sideways glance to Lilly and said aloud, "Clora, if you weren't married, I'd sweep you off your feet, thank you."
"You're my brother, you big goof, knock it off," Clora ordered without turning around from the stove. "Be careful or I'll send liver sausage sandwiches next time in your lunch." That was enough of a threat to straighten Wayne right out. The man positively abhorred anything liver, and Clora used that to her advantage.
Lilly swiveled her head following the exchange between Wayne and Clora, acting amazed that Clora would back talk to her brother. When she caught Wayne looking at her, she shut down and turned out the lights within. Wayne gathered up Willie, his books, papers and uniform and off they went into the raging storm.
Clora finished browning the roast she intended for supper, added a bit of coffee to the Dutch Oven and placed it carefully in the oven. A roast for Sunday supper was a left over habit from Grandma Evie. If they could afford meat, Grandma always sprang for Sunday roast.
In a small way, that kept Evie alive in Clora's heart, simple pleasures from a long ago remembrance in time. Clora felt so energized and alive, she was a whirling dervish as she spun through the house sending Wayne off to work and Will upstairs to sleep. Mark retreated to the living room with the paper and Lilly and girls went to the school room where they huddled over some of the library books.
Clora made a rice pudding to cook with the roast, started rolls to raise, set the sponge for a sourdough batch of bread. Just for fun she opened the cupboard over the sink and cleaned, inventoried and re arranged the seldom used stacks of platters and 'good' serving bowls. Finished, she was looking for another task when Mark called from the front room. "Come in and sit down, for heaven's sake, it's Sunday," he protested.
Clora had to straighten the living room before she could sit down and read a portion of the paper. The afternoon was fading into dusk when the lights went out.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#66
Milo let out an unearthly howl, "The lights are gone," he angrily yelled out as he stomped in from his bedroom. "I can't see to play with my car." It sounded close to the end of the earth, but Clora saved the day by lighting a couple of oil lamps and placing them on the kitchen table.
It took about 6 seconds for Lilly and the girls to make it to the kitchen, acting casual but chased by the demons of the darkness toward the light.
Clora organized a cocoa party, the steaming mugs of drink cooling as the family gathered to talk and watch the children play.
Checking from the window, Clora watched as Ben went to the barn to milk, and the soft glow of oil lamps lighting the house window's as proof of well being.
The last light of the day slipped into night, the soggy wet landscape absorbing the pounding rain. At 3:30 in the afternoon it was dark, the length of day determined by the earth's rotation. Clora felt a longing pang for sunshine and warm breezes, sighing unconsciously as she supposed those days would surely come eventually.
Turning around, she found Mark's beautiful blue eyes watching her with gentle love, he gave her a special smile for her eyes alone.
"Uncle Markey, can I have a cookie?" Milo asked as he took small sips of the hot cocoa.
"Yes, thank you for asking, rather than grabbing for one. I like the way you are using your manners," Mark praised Milo and earned a brilliant smile.
"Please may we have a cookie? We can share," Alice finally found enough gumption to ask on her own.
Mark looked up in surprise but recovered quickly, "yes, there are enough for you each to have one, choose the one you want," and he scooted the plate down the table. The girl's took an agonizing amount of time to visually inspect every cookie before they finally made their choice. Whispered strategy back and forth and then Alice took the first one and Betsy the second. Alice pushed the plate back toward Mark and both girls said in tandem,"thank you" in their thin childish voices.
"Lilly, help yourself," Mark encouraged, and pushed the plate back.
"No thank you" she whispered, looking down at the table.
Milo said, "they're really good, you're missing out." Both of the girls nodded yes and looked at their mother. Lilly didn't move a muscle.
Milo let out an unearthly howl, "The lights are gone," he angrily yelled out as he stomped in from his bedroom. "I can't see to play with my car." It sounded close to the end of the earth, but Clora saved the day by lighting a couple of oil lamps and placing them on the kitchen table.
It took about 6 seconds for Lilly and the girls to make it to the kitchen, acting casual but chased by the demons of the darkness toward the light.
Clora organized a cocoa party, the steaming mugs of drink cooling as the family gathered to talk and watch the children play.
Checking from the window, Clora watched as Ben went to the barn to milk, and the soft glow of oil lamps lighting the house window's as proof of well being.
The last light of the day slipped into night, the soggy wet landscape absorbing the pounding rain. At 3:30 in the afternoon it was dark, the length of day determined by the earth's rotation. Clora felt a longing pang for sunshine and warm breezes, sighing unconsciously as she supposed those days would surely come eventually.
Turning around, she found Mark's beautiful blue eyes watching her with gentle love, he gave her a special smile for her eyes alone.
"Uncle Markey, can I have a cookie?" Milo asked as he took small sips of the hot cocoa.
"Yes, thank you for asking, rather than grabbing for one. I like the way you are using your manners," Mark praised Milo and earned a brilliant smile.
"Please may we have a cookie? We can share," Alice finally found enough gumption to ask on her own.
Mark looked up in surprise but recovered quickly, "yes, there are enough for you each to have one, choose the one you want," and he scooted the plate down the table. The girl's took an agonizing amount of time to visually inspect every cookie before they finally made their choice. Whispered strategy back and forth and then Alice took the first one and Betsy the second. Alice pushed the plate back toward Mark and both girls said in tandem,"thank you" in their thin childish voices.
"Lilly, help yourself," Mark encouraged, and pushed the plate back.
"No thank you" she whispered, looking down at the table.
Milo said, "they're really good, you're missing out." Both of the girls nodded yes and looked at their mother. Lilly didn't move a muscle.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank you, but why did the electric go out, I hope not a bad reason.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#66b
As the roast cooked, the people smelling the great smell got hungrier and hungrier, until even Will came stumbling down the stairs rubbing his eyes and sniffing the air. "Oh man, does that smell good, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse," Will yawned hugely and stretched his arms over his head.
The two Fowler children looked alarmed at the thought and got up and backed away from the table in a hurry. Scurrying over to stand close to their mother, they peeked at Will over her shoulders.
Obvious to his effect, Will poured himself a cup of coffee and grabbed a cookie. He parked in the chair across from Lily and began to inspect her in an careful, unobvious way.
"When's supper?" Will asked, "I need to save room for that great smelling roast."
"Probably the usual time," Clora said as she gathered up plates, silverware and glasses. "Lilly, would you and the girls wash up and set the table please. You too Milo, but no making a mess in the sink." Clora poured warm water into a wash pan and put a towel beside it. Milo drug a chair over to the sink and said "you first Alice, then you Betsy." The perfect 4 year old gentleman.
Clora stared in astonishment at Mark, who was having a hard time keeping a straight face. Mark grinned and winked at Clora, who had to put the pan of potatoes on the stove to be busy so she wouldn't laugh.
Rubbing her face on her sleeve, Clora supervised the wash up out of the corner of her eye. Milo let Lilly wash, then cleaned his hands and pulled the chair back to the table. Mark beckoned him over with a crook of his finger, and whispered in the boy's ear. Milo got a real pleased look on his face and nodded his head up and down rapidly.
Mark got up and the two of them went to the back door coat hooks and put coats and hats on. Mark mouthed "Horses" to Clora, and the grabbed flashlights and went outside into the rain.
Will grinned at their retreating backs. "They must have important business out there this time of night, it's really raining."
"They went out to check on the colts, we got two this morning," Clora said happily. "A perfect quarter colt and a Grulla filly."
"I noticed a couple of the cows were looking loose, should be calves by morning," he said conversationally.
Mark and Milo made it back inside just in time to wash up for supper. "We have a pretty black filly with one white sock, and speckles on her butt." and that made Betsy laugh out loud. Lilly hushed her immediately, and brought her to her side.
"It's the old mare's foal, both mother and daughter are doing fine." Mark reported jovially, happy that his beloved horses were doing well.
Supper was given the blessing by Mark, who managed to sneak a thank you for the foals that had just been born, as he gave thanks for the wondrous food.
Hungry people ate like it was a business, and Clora brought out a pan of apple crisp to finish the meal. There was cream if you wanted it and a small bowl of whipped cream. The clan pushed away from the table groaning. Mark and Will were sloshing with gravy, their favorite food group, and potatoes, with three helpings of meat, carrots and onions.
Milo sat with puffed out cheeks, patting his tummy. Clora had been watching the girls, they both ate a reasonable amount of food, it was Lilly who ate almost nothing. Clora herself had a fine appetite, and it really puzzled her that Lilly wouldn't eat. Clora wasn't sure what it was about the ladies that Wayne drug home, but none of then seemed hungry.
The whole group pitched in and cleared the table and Clora set Lilly to washing and the girls to drying. "Auntie Clora says if you eat, you have to work," Milo was important as he passed on the house rules. "I work as much as I can, I really like to eat," he tacked on the end. Milo walked around the table straightening the chairs and gathering the napkins and putting them in the wash basket.
Mark and Will were talking in the dark in the living room, hushed voices not quite reaching into the kitchen. When the kitchen was tidy, Lilly and girls ghosted away upstairs to their room and Milo donned his pajamas without protest.
"Instead of me reading you a story tonight, why don't you tell me about your trip out to the horse barn?" Clora requested as she tucked Milo into bed. Milo actually did a pretty good job until the sleepys got a hold of him and he went to sleep mid sentence. Clora pulled the covers up and used her flash light to walk to the living room.
It was cooler in there than the kitchen, and it felt good. Her chair was comfy, and she sat quietly listening to the men discuss the fact that the farm was the only area where the lights were out. The next thing Clora knew, Mark was shaking her arm gently and whispering that it was time for bed.
As the roast cooked, the people smelling the great smell got hungrier and hungrier, until even Will came stumbling down the stairs rubbing his eyes and sniffing the air. "Oh man, does that smell good, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse," Will yawned hugely and stretched his arms over his head.
The two Fowler children looked alarmed at the thought and got up and backed away from the table in a hurry. Scurrying over to stand close to their mother, they peeked at Will over her shoulders.
Obvious to his effect, Will poured himself a cup of coffee and grabbed a cookie. He parked in the chair across from Lily and began to inspect her in an careful, unobvious way.
"When's supper?" Will asked, "I need to save room for that great smelling roast."
"Probably the usual time," Clora said as she gathered up plates, silverware and glasses. "Lilly, would you and the girls wash up and set the table please. You too Milo, but no making a mess in the sink." Clora poured warm water into a wash pan and put a towel beside it. Milo drug a chair over to the sink and said "you first Alice, then you Betsy." The perfect 4 year old gentleman.
Clora stared in astonishment at Mark, who was having a hard time keeping a straight face. Mark grinned and winked at Clora, who had to put the pan of potatoes on the stove to be busy so she wouldn't laugh.
Rubbing her face on her sleeve, Clora supervised the wash up out of the corner of her eye. Milo let Lilly wash, then cleaned his hands and pulled the chair back to the table. Mark beckoned him over with a crook of his finger, and whispered in the boy's ear. Milo got a real pleased look on his face and nodded his head up and down rapidly.
Mark got up and the two of them went to the back door coat hooks and put coats and hats on. Mark mouthed "Horses" to Clora, and the grabbed flashlights and went outside into the rain.
Will grinned at their retreating backs. "They must have important business out there this time of night, it's really raining."
"They went out to check on the colts, we got two this morning," Clora said happily. "A perfect quarter colt and a Grulla filly."
"I noticed a couple of the cows were looking loose, should be calves by morning," he said conversationally.
Mark and Milo made it back inside just in time to wash up for supper. "We have a pretty black filly with one white sock, and speckles on her butt." and that made Betsy laugh out loud. Lilly hushed her immediately, and brought her to her side.
"It's the old mare's foal, both mother and daughter are doing fine." Mark reported jovially, happy that his beloved horses were doing well.
Supper was given the blessing by Mark, who managed to sneak a thank you for the foals that had just been born, as he gave thanks for the wondrous food.
Hungry people ate like it was a business, and Clora brought out a pan of apple crisp to finish the meal. There was cream if you wanted it and a small bowl of whipped cream. The clan pushed away from the table groaning. Mark and Will were sloshing with gravy, their favorite food group, and potatoes, with three helpings of meat, carrots and onions.
Milo sat with puffed out cheeks, patting his tummy. Clora had been watching the girls, they both ate a reasonable amount of food, it was Lilly who ate almost nothing. Clora herself had a fine appetite, and it really puzzled her that Lilly wouldn't eat. Clora wasn't sure what it was about the ladies that Wayne drug home, but none of then seemed hungry.
The whole group pitched in and cleared the table and Clora set Lilly to washing and the girls to drying. "Auntie Clora says if you eat, you have to work," Milo was important as he passed on the house rules. "I work as much as I can, I really like to eat," he tacked on the end. Milo walked around the table straightening the chairs and gathering the napkins and putting them in the wash basket.
Mark and Will were talking in the dark in the living room, hushed voices not quite reaching into the kitchen. When the kitchen was tidy, Lilly and girls ghosted away upstairs to their room and Milo donned his pajamas without protest.
"Instead of me reading you a story tonight, why don't you tell me about your trip out to the horse barn?" Clora requested as she tucked Milo into bed. Milo actually did a pretty good job until the sleepys got a hold of him and he went to sleep mid sentence. Clora pulled the covers up and used her flash light to walk to the living room.
It was cooler in there than the kitchen, and it felt good. Her chair was comfy, and she sat quietly listening to the men discuss the fact that the farm was the only area where the lights were out. The next thing Clora knew, Mark was shaking her arm gently and whispering that it was time for bed.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yeah I was really wondering about the light situation. Thanks Pac
bad_karma00
Underachiever
Clora got a fine husband when she married Mark. He's a good guy. They deserve each other.
As I read this, I longed for a wood stove, a cold rainy day, a cup of hot chocolate, and a good book with a comfortable chair. You put me inside the Hanson home, Pac.
That's well done.
Bad
As I read this, I longed for a wood stove, a cold rainy day, a cup of hot chocolate, and a good book with a comfortable chair. You put me inside the Hanson home, Pac.
That's well done.
Bad
Sammy55
Veteran Member
Loving this story, Pac! I could smell that roast and it made me want to make one soon!
If Lilly doesn't start eating, she's going to shrivel up and die. Then what would happen to her girls?
I wonder why Will was checking Lilly out.......
And I wonder why the farm was the only place with no lights..................
The plot thickens.
If Lilly doesn't start eating, she's going to shrivel up and die. Then what would happen to her girls?
I wonder why Will was checking Lilly out.......
And I wonder why the farm was the only place with no lights..................
The plot thickens.
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#67
The cattle rustlers did come back to the scene of their crime that night, and they did manage to knife a smaller heifer before she could warn the rest of the herd. The rushing wind, pelting rain and near freezing temperatures prevented Mama dog from hearing the commotion. The creaking and flapping of a loose tin on the roof, masking the slight amount of noise made by the rustlers.
There was no disguising the scene in the morning's light however. Ev went to milk and found the cattle back up in the corral, an unusual thing for them to do, unless they were spooked by danger or a predator.
A quick perusal of the pasture revealed the carcass hulk of the heifer by the lower fence, a stray dog worrying the hide.
Ev finished the morning chores and went to the house for Cheryl, stopping by for Ben and Lainey on the way to the main house for a council of war.
Clora was teaching Milo his ABC's as she did her morning chores. Lilly and girls were in the school room and Will and Mark were down in the basement deciding how best to clean up the tunnel mess.
"Guy's, come up" Clora called down the stairs, "everybody is coming across the lot and Ev looks furious." Clora started coffee and water for tea. New cookies came out of the oven and Milo was given a cooled plateful to take to the school room.
The story was related in short order, Ev smoking hot under the collar as he sputtered and swore. "I thought you said they wouldn't be back," he accused Will; Ev needed a guilty person he could get his hands on.
"Normally," Will said with a shrug, "they won't. They must have been desperate to carry through, especially with the weather last night."
"I think we should consider butchering the last of the calves, and that leaves us with what...six or seven Hereford cross cows. What would be the best way to go...sell or make hamburger out of them and/or put the money into more Highlanders?" Ben played with the handle of his coffee mug, but looked at the clan for their opinions.
"The Highlanders are more fearsome looking with their horns, and they cost a little less than a full sized Hereford. We could pick up 8 to 10 cows for the price we would get out of the 7 we have now." Ev looked at the notes he fished out of his pocket. "The guy does have enough Highland cows that we could go from one kind to the other. I'd like to hear what the rest of you guy's think."
"We could change over," Ben said with a troubled frown, "but that doesn't take care of the danger involved. Unless we have security or bring the cows in every night, we still stand to loose them just as we would the Herefords. How much more room would those horned critters need so we don't have them crammed in the corral? Do we need to modify the chutes and head gates to accommodate them? We need to consider the costs involved. Don't get me wrong, I like those little devils and am OK with having them be our cows, but, we need to know what's involved."
Clora and Mark listened carefully to the ideas flying back and forth. Finally, Ev asked outright what their stand was. Clora nodded toward Mark, yielding to him as their spokesperson.
"First of all, are the calves of sufficient weight that they will return enough meat to be worth butchering now...as say, in another three months?" Mark asked straight out. "The security end of it is the same, as far as I'm concerned. Hungry people are gonna kill a cow with horns just as quick as one without. So I think we need to consider security and protection first, and then the changeover of the herd second." Mark stood up using the table as a boost, still unable to get around without discomfort.
"We need some kind of night watch, or bring all the animals into the barn every evening. That means increased chores cleaning the hay and manure, or a more secure fenced area, or we all take turns at sentry duty. Maybe we should take a minute and decide the best way to close up the compound and pastures. If people are bold enough to kill in the pasture, they will be bold enough to storm the outbuildings and the houses for food." Mark went to the stove for more coffee.
That was a sobering thought, that caused a deep and heavy silence around the table.
"That has been a concern of mine for quite some time," normally quiet and reticent Lainey had become a tiger as far as the safety of her children were concerned. Now that there was opportunity, she spoke her mind.
"Mine also," Cheryl spoke up with a strong voice. "Our house is closest to the road, and I think we have been darn lucky up to this point that we haven't had home invasions or just plain robberies. I think we need more basic security, during the day and the night. Will, you are in law enforcement, what do you suggest" Cheryl challenged him directly, hoping to cause some action rather than a lot of discussion and hand wringing.
The cattle rustlers did come back to the scene of their crime that night, and they did manage to knife a smaller heifer before she could warn the rest of the herd. The rushing wind, pelting rain and near freezing temperatures prevented Mama dog from hearing the commotion. The creaking and flapping of a loose tin on the roof, masking the slight amount of noise made by the rustlers.
There was no disguising the scene in the morning's light however. Ev went to milk and found the cattle back up in the corral, an unusual thing for them to do, unless they were spooked by danger or a predator.
A quick perusal of the pasture revealed the carcass hulk of the heifer by the lower fence, a stray dog worrying the hide.
Ev finished the morning chores and went to the house for Cheryl, stopping by for Ben and Lainey on the way to the main house for a council of war.
Clora was teaching Milo his ABC's as she did her morning chores. Lilly and girls were in the school room and Will and Mark were down in the basement deciding how best to clean up the tunnel mess.
"Guy's, come up" Clora called down the stairs, "everybody is coming across the lot and Ev looks furious." Clora started coffee and water for tea. New cookies came out of the oven and Milo was given a cooled plateful to take to the school room.
The story was related in short order, Ev smoking hot under the collar as he sputtered and swore. "I thought you said they wouldn't be back," he accused Will; Ev needed a guilty person he could get his hands on.
"Normally," Will said with a shrug, "they won't. They must have been desperate to carry through, especially with the weather last night."
"I think we should consider butchering the last of the calves, and that leaves us with what...six or seven Hereford cross cows. What would be the best way to go...sell or make hamburger out of them and/or put the money into more Highlanders?" Ben played with the handle of his coffee mug, but looked at the clan for their opinions.
"The Highlanders are more fearsome looking with their horns, and they cost a little less than a full sized Hereford. We could pick up 8 to 10 cows for the price we would get out of the 7 we have now." Ev looked at the notes he fished out of his pocket. "The guy does have enough Highland cows that we could go from one kind to the other. I'd like to hear what the rest of you guy's think."
"We could change over," Ben said with a troubled frown, "but that doesn't take care of the danger involved. Unless we have security or bring the cows in every night, we still stand to loose them just as we would the Herefords. How much more room would those horned critters need so we don't have them crammed in the corral? Do we need to modify the chutes and head gates to accommodate them? We need to consider the costs involved. Don't get me wrong, I like those little devils and am OK with having them be our cows, but, we need to know what's involved."
Clora and Mark listened carefully to the ideas flying back and forth. Finally, Ev asked outright what their stand was. Clora nodded toward Mark, yielding to him as their spokesperson.
"First of all, are the calves of sufficient weight that they will return enough meat to be worth butchering now...as say, in another three months?" Mark asked straight out. "The security end of it is the same, as far as I'm concerned. Hungry people are gonna kill a cow with horns just as quick as one without. So I think we need to consider security and protection first, and then the changeover of the herd second." Mark stood up using the table as a boost, still unable to get around without discomfort.
"We need some kind of night watch, or bring all the animals into the barn every evening. That means increased chores cleaning the hay and manure, or a more secure fenced area, or we all take turns at sentry duty. Maybe we should take a minute and decide the best way to close up the compound and pastures. If people are bold enough to kill in the pasture, they will be bold enough to storm the outbuildings and the houses for food." Mark went to the stove for more coffee.
That was a sobering thought, that caused a deep and heavy silence around the table.
"That has been a concern of mine for quite some time," normally quiet and reticent Lainey had become a tiger as far as the safety of her children were concerned. Now that there was opportunity, she spoke her mind.
"Mine also," Cheryl spoke up with a strong voice. "Our house is closest to the road, and I think we have been darn lucky up to this point that we haven't had home invasions or just plain robberies. I think we need more basic security, during the day and the night. Will, you are in law enforcement, what do you suggest" Cheryl challenged him directly, hoping to cause some action rather than a lot of discussion and hand wringing.
Neat chapters posted for us to read. So glad that the Hanson family have some quiet family times between each of the horrid events that you record for them. (Remember that this isn't just fiction anymore, we are getting ourselves right into your story with them)
Ooops, you posted while I was typing this in. Well, glad that they had SOME quiet time anyhow. Looks like they are off and running again.
Ooops, you posted while I was typing this in. Well, glad that they had SOME quiet time anyhow. Looks like they are off and running again.
Thanks, Pac! Your chapters are always worth waiting for!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
#67b
Will stood up and rubbed his chin, then the back of his neck. This was kind of a pinch, but he thought he could give a comprehensive enough answer. "We need to start with windows and doors. This place was made without deep security in mind; so it's like a sponge. We need to retro fit window casements and door frames. They need less window area to begin with, shutters and longer screws to hold them in place in the opening.," he looked up and down the table, to see nods of agreement.
"Like the windows in the front room, they were shot out and remember how venerable we all felt. On edge and uncomfortable, well imagine if we couldn't replace the glass and had to cover it with tarps; either canvas or the blue type. Immediately that cuts your field of vision by 95% and keeps a sentry constantly of the move to keep the area secure. It also becomes a very weak point for invasion, and creates the need for more heat if done during the winter......so see how these wonderful old windows create problems. Weak doors with a lot of glass are worthless, doors with skylights on either side are more than worthless, everyone follow my reasoning?"
Will walked around the table and clucked his tongue at Anne, as she sat nestled in Ben's arm. "The most cost effective measure we can do right away is install a driveway alarm with outlets in the houses and the barn. However be forewarned, they are loud and become an extreme nuisance because they are broken by people, animals and cars. There are pressure sensitive mats we can install in the driveway, but they require the weight of a vehicle to activate, but the deer won't trip the sensors. Gates at the very least....we need to slow down the flow,.....and some kind of perimeter impediments so they can't drive around."
Will stopped long enough to pick up his mug and filled it from the percolator, raising the pot, he silently asked if anyone else wanted a refill. Ev and Mark did, draining the old granite ware pot. Clora got up and fixed a new batch.
"We have very poor defensive ability here, strung out in the line like the houses are up the driveway. The best way would be to build new houses in a central area. Now Ev, I understand you are interested in building a cabin off in the woods, you realize that if we came under attack we wouldn't be able to help you. Think about the old fort theories, houses grouped behind protective walls."
Will sat down in his chair, "this type of protection doesn't create fear, it promotes awareness and ease of mind. What if we had one child kidnapped and held for food ransom. If we paid, it wouldn't be but a week before the same situation would occur again. I don't say this to frighten you senseless, I want you to be aware it could happen."
Both Lainey and Cheryl clutched the children in their arms tighter. Teddy finally squalled and Cheryl eased up, both women looking shaken at Will's announcement.
Lainey put her hand on Ben's arm, asking wordlessly if they were protected. "Somewhat," he replied. "Mama dog has done well, but last night the elements kept her from hearing our intruders. So that is not an infallible line of defense." Lainey looked scared, not at all reassured.
"I feel like a sitting duck," Lainey admitted, "I never realized how open this beautiful place is, and how impossible it is to protect it satisfactorily. Gee, I won't sleep a wink tonight."
Ben scowled at Will, but Will refused to be cowed. "We have been very lucky up to this date," Will continued, "now it is up to us to consciously protect ourselves. Folks, I have to get ready for shift, but talk it out and put together a plan. We need to move forward on this problem." Will drained his drink and took the mug to the sink. "See you good people tomorrow afternoon," and he headed for the stairs.
Mark said into the heavy silence, "I have this week I can help install anything we decide to do, as I start work the 2nd of January. But, I will be able to stop in town and bring back any parts we require. My vote goes for a driveway gate and an alarm that rings in every house. I think we can do the alarm for about 300 dollars and if we can twist Wayne's arm to finish the gates, there will be time and material involved."
There were nods all up and down the table, everyone relieved. A plan of action to set in motion, beat inactivity any day.
Will stood up and rubbed his chin, then the back of his neck. This was kind of a pinch, but he thought he could give a comprehensive enough answer. "We need to start with windows and doors. This place was made without deep security in mind; so it's like a sponge. We need to retro fit window casements and door frames. They need less window area to begin with, shutters and longer screws to hold them in place in the opening.," he looked up and down the table, to see nods of agreement.
"Like the windows in the front room, they were shot out and remember how venerable we all felt. On edge and uncomfortable, well imagine if we couldn't replace the glass and had to cover it with tarps; either canvas or the blue type. Immediately that cuts your field of vision by 95% and keeps a sentry constantly of the move to keep the area secure. It also becomes a very weak point for invasion, and creates the need for more heat if done during the winter......so see how these wonderful old windows create problems. Weak doors with a lot of glass are worthless, doors with skylights on either side are more than worthless, everyone follow my reasoning?"
Will walked around the table and clucked his tongue at Anne, as she sat nestled in Ben's arm. "The most cost effective measure we can do right away is install a driveway alarm with outlets in the houses and the barn. However be forewarned, they are loud and become an extreme nuisance because they are broken by people, animals and cars. There are pressure sensitive mats we can install in the driveway, but they require the weight of a vehicle to activate, but the deer won't trip the sensors. Gates at the very least....we need to slow down the flow,.....and some kind of perimeter impediments so they can't drive around."
Will stopped long enough to pick up his mug and filled it from the percolator, raising the pot, he silently asked if anyone else wanted a refill. Ev and Mark did, draining the old granite ware pot. Clora got up and fixed a new batch.
"We have very poor defensive ability here, strung out in the line like the houses are up the driveway. The best way would be to build new houses in a central area. Now Ev, I understand you are interested in building a cabin off in the woods, you realize that if we came under attack we wouldn't be able to help you. Think about the old fort theories, houses grouped behind protective walls."
Will sat down in his chair, "this type of protection doesn't create fear, it promotes awareness and ease of mind. What if we had one child kidnapped and held for food ransom. If we paid, it wouldn't be but a week before the same situation would occur again. I don't say this to frighten you senseless, I want you to be aware it could happen."
Both Lainey and Cheryl clutched the children in their arms tighter. Teddy finally squalled and Cheryl eased up, both women looking shaken at Will's announcement.
Lainey put her hand on Ben's arm, asking wordlessly if they were protected. "Somewhat," he replied. "Mama dog has done well, but last night the elements kept her from hearing our intruders. So that is not an infallible line of defense." Lainey looked scared, not at all reassured.
"I feel like a sitting duck," Lainey admitted, "I never realized how open this beautiful place is, and how impossible it is to protect it satisfactorily. Gee, I won't sleep a wink tonight."
Ben scowled at Will, but Will refused to be cowed. "We have been very lucky up to this date," Will continued, "now it is up to us to consciously protect ourselves. Folks, I have to get ready for shift, but talk it out and put together a plan. We need to move forward on this problem." Will drained his drink and took the mug to the sink. "See you good people tomorrow afternoon," and he headed for the stairs.
Mark said into the heavy silence, "I have this week I can help install anything we decide to do, as I start work the 2nd of January. But, I will be able to stop in town and bring back any parts we require. My vote goes for a driveway gate and an alarm that rings in every house. I think we can do the alarm for about 300 dollars and if we can twist Wayne's arm to finish the gates, there will be time and material involved."
There were nods all up and down the table, everyone relieved. A plan of action to set in motion, beat inactivity any day.
stjwelding
Veteran Member
Thanks Pac, great chapters, the challenges for the family never seem to end. I have to wonder what Lilly and the girls story is, it sounds like she was not treated with much love or respect before she met Wayne and the family. May God bless and keep you and Mr Pac always.
Wayne
Wayne
Actually that last chapter should make all of us think about our homes and our vulnerabilities. Thanks for some good ideas!
PacNorWest
Veteran Member
Folks, I am having trouble posting tonight. We are in the midst of a violent storm and I cant get enough story written to post, 'cause the power keeps going out. I am going over to have Thanksgiving with Mr Pac, so will probably be on line sporadically.
From the bottom of my heart, Mr. Pac and I wish you all a Thanksgiving that you enjoy with friends and family.
From the bottom of my heart, Mr. Pac and I wish you all a Thanksgiving that you enjoy with friends and family.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Be safe and God Bless
Jeepcats 3
Contributing Member
Pac,
I hope you and Mr Pac had a good day together!
Happy Thanksgiving and have a safe trip!
Jeepcats3
I hope you and Mr Pac had a good day together!
Happy Thanksgiving and have a safe trip!
Jeepcats3
Hope Mr. Pac is doing better and you two have a happy Thanksgiving!